Puebla Attractions
Mexican State
The state of Puebla is bounded on the north and east by Veracruz, on the south by Oaxaca and Guerrero, and on the west and north-west by Morelos, the Estado de México, Tlaxcala and Hidalgo. The landscape is characterised by plateaux, mountain ranges with glacial peaks and fertile valleys. Puebla is densely inhabited and is one of Mexico's most important cultural and economic areas. The population includes Criollos (Creoles), descendants of Spaniards, and mestizos, as well as various Indian tribes such as Náhua, Otomí, Totonacs and Mazatecs.
Archaeological Sites
Although Puebla possesses numerous archaeological sites, the only ones likely to appeal to the ordinary visitor are Cholula and Yohualichán. Las Bocas and Coxcatlán are still under excavation.
History
Adjoining the cultural centres of the Anáhuac plateau, the area of the present state of Puebla played a significant role in the pre-Columbian period. The earliest evidence of fruit cultivation (pumpkins, avocados, chillies, cotton), estimated as dating from 7000 bc, was found in the Tehuacán Valley. Later ancient Indian people, such as the Olmecs, the Zapotecs, the Mixtecs, the Toltecs, the Totonacs and the Aztecs (Mexica), ruled here from 1200 bc both after and with each other until the arrival of the Spanish. The most important religious and political centre of the Classic and post-Classic periods was without doubt Cholula, which continued to exert strong influence through many centuries until the Conquista.
The Spanish under Hernán Cortés arrived in the area of the present state in 1519 on their way from the Gulf Coast to Tenochtitlán. The conquerors colonised the land very quickly, and Puebla's ensuing history is bound up with that of its capital which bears the same name.
Economy
The state has remained of major importance for its agricultural products such as grain, maize, coffee, sugar-cane and Maguey agaves. The principal minerals worked here are gold, copper, coal and marble. Also of importance is hydro-electric power. Ceramics (mainly tiles), textiles, glass, soap, leatherware and, not least, vehicles are manufactured in the state. Local craft products, tourism and mineral water bottling (Tehuacán) all contibute to the economy.
Sights
The well-known tourist centres and their surroundings, including Puebla, Acatepec, Cholula, Huejotzingo and Teziutlán are worth mentioning.
The state of Puebla is bounded on the north and east by Veracruz, on the south by Oaxaca and Guerrero, and on the west and north-west by Morelos, the Estado de México, Tlaxcala and Hidalgo. The landscape is characterised by plateaux, mountain ranges with glacial peaks and fertile valleys. Puebla is densely inhabited and is one of Mexico's most important cultural and economic areas. The population includes Criollos (Creoles), descendants of Spaniards, and mestizos, as well as various Indian tribes such as Náhua, Otomí, Totonacs and Mazatecs.
Archaeological Sites
Although Puebla possesses numerous archaeological sites, the only ones likely to appeal to the ordinary visitor are Cholula and Yohualichán. Las Bocas and Coxcatlán are still under excavation.
History
Adjoining the cultural centres of the Anáhuac plateau, the area of the present state of Puebla played a significant role in the pre-Columbian period. The earliest evidence of fruit cultivation (pumpkins, avocados, chillies, cotton), estimated as dating from 7000 bc, was found in the Tehuacán Valley. Later ancient Indian people, such as the Olmecs, the Zapotecs, the Mixtecs, the Toltecs, the Totonacs and the Aztecs (Mexica), ruled here from 1200 bc both after and with each other until the arrival of the Spanish. The most important religious and political centre of the Classic and post-Classic periods was without doubt Cholula, which continued to exert strong influence through many centuries until the Conquista.
The Spanish under Hernán Cortés arrived in the area of the present state in 1519 on their way from the Gulf Coast to Tenochtitlán. The conquerors colonised the land very quickly, and Puebla's ensuing history is bound up with that of its capital which bears the same name.
Economy
The state has remained of major importance for its agricultural products such as grain, maize, coffee, sugar-cane and Maguey agaves. The principal minerals worked here are gold, copper, coal and marble. Also of importance is hydro-electric power. Ceramics (mainly tiles), textiles, glass, soap, leatherware and, not least, vehicles are manufactured in the state. Local craft products, tourism and mineral water bottling (Tehuacán) all contibute to the economy.
Sights
The well-known tourist centres and their surroundings, including Puebla, Acatepec, Cholula, Huejotzingo and Teziutlán are worth mentioning.
Acatepec, Mexico
Acatepec, only a small place, is situated some 120km/75mi south-east of Mexico City and about 16km/10mi west of Puebla.
Its church, San Francisco de Acatepec, is one of the finest examples of regional High Baroque in Mexico.
Its church, San Francisco de Acatepec, is one of the finest examples of regional High Baroque in Mexico.
San Francisco de Acatepec
Access to the church is through an impressive Neo-Mudéjar-style arch, beyond which stands the triply-articulated, azulejos and brick clad façade. Framed by an irregular arch the portal is flanked on either side by three unequally spaced Corinthian pillars with a statue occupying the niche between. Above, on the mid-section of the façade, estípites (pilasters in the form of an upturned truncated pyramid, a notable feature of the Churriguera style) take the place of the columns, while an emblem of St Francis embellishes the large central window. The outermost pilasters of this section continue upwards in whorls or volutes, the overall effect being that of a gable. A statue of St Francis adorns the star-shaped upper niche above which, at the highest point, stands a sculpture symbolising the Trinity.
The corners of the right-hand tower comprise Salomonic (twisted) columns with ornamental bands of blue and yellow azulejos. Somewhat unusually, the left-hand tower is set at an angle to the façade.
The interior of the church contains a wealth of stucco-work and wood carving, all painted in a profusion of colours and gilded in the Poblano style typical of the 18th c. Of particular interest is an oldish altar-piece (17th c.) with statues finished in the estofado technique - gilding first, then overpainted - and almost lost amidst a welter of gilded Salomonic columns and other ornamentation. Note too the exceedingly intricate and sumptuously ornate door to the baptistery. Greater sobriety prevails in the remainder of the interior, Indian influence being less in evidence here than in Santa María de Tonantzintla.
(Puebla)
Not very much is known about the history of the church. It is presumed to have been constructed about 1730, the tiles (azulejos) being specially designed for it and manufactured in Puebla. Part of the interior was destroyed by fire in the late 1930s. The subsequent restoration work, carried out by well-intentioned local craftsmen, unfortunately fails to live up to the original 18th c. splendour. That such superb churches are to be found in even the smallest towns and villages in the area let alone the larger ones is a tribute to the Spanish who so successfully harnessed the unique artistry and craftmanship of the local Indian population.Access to the church is through an impressive Neo-Mudéjar-style arch, beyond which stands the triply-articulated, azulejos and brick clad façade. Framed by an irregular arch the portal is flanked on either side by three unequally spaced Corinthian pillars with a statue occupying the niche between. Above, on the mid-section of the façade, estípites (pilasters in the form of an upturned truncated pyramid, a notable feature of the Churriguera style) take the place of the columns, while an emblem of St Francis embellishes the large central window. The outermost pilasters of this section continue upwards in whorls or volutes, the overall effect being that of a gable. A statue of St Francis adorns the star-shaped upper niche above which, at the highest point, stands a sculpture symbolising the Trinity.
The corners of the right-hand tower comprise Salomonic (twisted) columns with ornamental bands of blue and yellow azulejos. Somewhat unusually, the left-hand tower is set at an angle to the façade.
The interior of the church contains a wealth of stucco-work and wood carving, all painted in a profusion of colours and gilded in the Poblano style typical of the 18th c. Of particular interest is an oldish altar-piece (17th c.) with statues finished in the estofado technique - gilding first, then overpainted - and almost lost amidst a welter of gilded Salomonic columns and other ornamentation. Note too the exceedingly intricate and sumptuously ornate door to the baptistery. Greater sobriety prevails in the remainder of the interior, Indian influence being less in evidence here than in Santa María de Tonantzintla.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Tonantzintla - Santa Maria de Tonantzintla
Not far from the church stands a state-owned observatory (built in 1942) equipped with a Schmidt telescope. Inside are frescos by Miguel Prieto.
(Near Acatepec)
Barely a kilometre to the west of Acatepec lies the village of Tonantzintla (2200 m (7220 ft); population: 15,000; fiesta: August 15th, Día de la Asunción de la Virgen María). Whereas in the case of San Francisco de Acatepec it is the façade which is the masterpiece of the Poblano style, here in Santa María de Tonantzintla the same variant of the Baroque finds supreme expression in the interior. In contrast the doubly-articulated façade of the church, kept predominantly red but with blue and white tile ornamentation as well as sculptures, is comparatively plain. The "extravagantly Baroque" interior of the church is quite unique, its breathtaking colouring and its mix of Indian and European elements being the work of anonymous local artists and craftsmen. Decoration embodying the mystic predilection for fruit, flowers and birds so characteristic of the pre-Columbian period, interwoven with Christian motifs, covers every available inch. Outstanding among the many features of interest are, in the choir, the orchestra of Indian musicians and stucco-work scenes with reliefs of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and St Christopher, and in the mid-section of the nave the picture of St Francis and sculptures of St James and St Anthony. High in the dome a bevy of cherubim appear to float earthwards from a flower in a sea of foliage. The pulpit arch exhibits some remarkable stucco-work - crowned devils spewing forth fruit, and ornamental atlantes.Not far from the church stands a state-owned observatory (built in 1942) equipped with a Schmidt telescope. Inside are frescos by Miguel Prieto.
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Cantona
Cantona was a thriving community between the years of 600 and 950. This fortified town with pyramids, palaces, and some two dozen ball-game courts, is one of the most important finds in the region.
Acatlan de Osorio, Mexico
Acatlán de Osorio (1213 m (3981 ft); population 20,000; Fiesta: October 24th, Día de San Rafael Arcángel; Sunday market) is a picturesque little Mixtec town famous for its ceramics, particularly painted pottery.
Huauchinango, Mexico
Huauchinango (1500 m (4923 ft); population 60,000; Flower Festival, March 10th-20th; Saturday market), to the north, is a small pleasant Indian town in an attractive location.
Izucar de Matamoros, Mexico
Situated approximately 80km/50mi south of Puebla, Izucar de Matamoros (1300 m (4267 ft); population 70,000; Fiesta: July 25th, Dia de Santiago; Monday market) possesses a beautiful 16th c. fountain, a 16th c. Dominican convent with ruined posas (processional chapels), and the 18th Church of Santiago.
Piedras Encimadas
Visitors to the north-west of the state of Puebla are advised to make a detour to the curious rock formations known as Piedras Encimadas (stepped rocks) which can be found in a valley near Zacatlán.
San Martin Texmelucan, Mexico
Visitors to this small town (2270 m (7450 ft); population 68,000; Fiesta: November 11th, Día de San Martín; Tuesday market) on the border with the state of Tlaxcala should see the 16th/17th c. Franciscan convent and Church of San Martín.
Tehuacan, Mexico
Tehuacán (1670 m (5481 ft); population 160,000; Harvest Festival in June; Saturday market) lies in the south-west of the state and is a quiet little spa with the churches of San Francisco (17th and 18th c.) and El Carmen (18th c.), as well as the Tehuacán Valley Archaeological Museum and the Dr Miguel Romero Mineral Collection. The thermal baths here are well-known, as is the water which has become the best-known mineral water in Mexico.
Tlaxcalancingo - Iglesia de Tlaxcalancingo, Mexico
(Near Acatepec)
The village of Tlaxcalancingo (2200 m (7220 ft); population: 6000) lies on the way back from Acatepec to Puebla, about 4km/2.5mi from Acatepec along the MEX 190. On the right stands another fine example of Poblano Baroque, the 18th c. church of San Bernardino, its magnificent façade with curved gable being completely clad in tiles and red brick. On its left side the church is crowned by an elegant tower, the dome and cap also being tiled.
From Tlaxcalancingo it is only 6km/4mi back to Puebla.
From Tlaxcalancingo it is only 6km/4mi back to Puebla.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 |
| Close | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 |
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